1. I would like to announce the following changes in National Offices that
have taken
place recently. National Secretary David F. Wallace has resigned effective
July 1, 1997
and was replace by the Council of Administration at its March 15th meeting by
Department Commander David Hann, Department of New Jersey. Dave Wallace has
done an excellent job as National Secretary since 1994 and has encountered
increasing
responsibilities at his place of business as well as Department Commander of
the
Department of Michigan. We wish him God's speed as he steps aside at the
National
level. The Council of Administration approved the appointment of George
Powell of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as National Membership at Large Coordinator to
replace
William Ward of Salt Lake City, Utah. James Hilton, Department of Ohio,
recently
resigned as National Site Committee Chairman and the Commander-in-Chief named
James Lyons of the Department of Michigan as his replacement.

2. I would like it to be noted that I inadvertently omitted in General Orders
No. 2 that I
attended a dinner/reception for Helen Meyer, National President, Daughters of
Union
Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865 in Le Sueur, Minnesota on Sunday, October
20,
1996 and I also attended a camp meeting of Ben Harrison Camp # 356 in
Indianapolis,
Indiana on Sunday November 10, 1996.

3. On February 8th, 1997 I attended the annual President Abraham Lincoln
Birthday
Luncheon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin sponsored by the Allied Orders of the
Department of
Wisconsin. It was a pleasure to participate in this luncheon and renew old
friendships
with several members of the Allied Orders and to make new friends.

4. I participated with several members of the Department of Indiana, SUVCW,
in the
Lincoln Day Program at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial near Lincoln
City,
Indiana on Sunday, February 9, 1997. SUVCW members participated in the indoor
part
of the program by presenting the National and State of Indiana Colors and led
in the
Pledge of Allegiance. Following the indoor program, the SUVCW color guard led
the
assembly to the grave of President Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, for
laying of
wreaths and eulogy.

5. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C. was the setting of the Lincoln
Birthday
Ceremony which I and the National Presidents of the Allied Orders attended on
February
12, 1997. The day before, February 11th, I attended a ceremony in Ford's
Theater
sponsored by the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. SUVCW and MOLLUS member
Lowell Hammer, PC-in-C, read several of President Lincoln's poems which was
followed
by a tour of the theater and Peterson House.

6. I attended the 1st Annual Department Encampment, Department of Kansas in
Wichita,
Kansas on February 22, 1997. I was impressed with the enthusiasm shown at
this first
encampment and look forward to hearing more from the Department of Kansas.

7. I attended and presided at the Council of Administration meeting held in Columbus,
Ohio on Saturday, March 15, 1997.

8. I would like to remind all brothers to contribute to the Senior Vice
Commander-in-
Chief's Fund as well as the GAR Memorial Fund. Both funds are essential
components of
our order in that the former is used to support our membership program and the
later
supports the various activities related to honoring and memorializing the
Grand Army of
the Republic. The SUVCW Contribution Form printed in the Banner may be used
or
xeroxed for use and can be sent with the contribution to the Senior Vice
Commander-in-
Chief Richard Orr, Patriotic Instructor Edward Krieser, or to the National
Officer listed
on the form. Checks for both funds, made out separately or as one check with
directions
for distribution, should be made out to the "National Organization - SUVCW."

9. Recent e mails I have received concerning members experiencing health problems are
as follows:
PC-in-C Clark Mellor recently under went surgery to implant a pacemaker and appears to
be doing well.
PC-in-C George Long had a series of tests that turned out to be negative and
he also
appears to be doing well. He is reported to have attended a recent camp
meeting and is
reported to be active and in good spirits.

I would like to pass on information I received from Kansas Department
Commander
Dean Speaks about George Schultz, Camp Commander of the MAL Camp in Omaha,
Nebraska. George suffered a massive heart attack on January 27th followed by
a stoke.
He has been in the VA Medical Center since and was recently transferred to the
Douglas
County Hospital for further treatment and therapy. His will be there for
about 2 months
or so and I am sure that he would appreciate cards and letters sent to:

All Camps are requested to tend to the needs of members and their families that have
suffered illness.

10. I would like to remind members but particularly all officers of the two
publications
that deal with job descriptions. These two publications are: "Job
Descriptions for Camp
and Department Officers SUVCW" and "Job Descriptions for National Organization
Officers and Standing Committees SUVCW." They, along with the Constitution
and
Regulations of the Order, are indispensable to each officer fulfilling his
duties as outlined
in these publications. The National Quartermaster should be contacted
concerning
obtaining copies and their cost. Updated supplements to the C and R are also
available
from the National Quartermaster.

11. The National Park Service and Oliver Tilden Camp # 26, SUVCW will be
conducting
the annual commemoration of the birthday of General Ulysses S. Grant on 27
April at
Grant's Tomb, 122nd Street and Riverside Drive in Manhattan, New York City.
This
year's ceremony has double significance since it is the 175th anniversary of
his birth as
well as the centennial of the tomb. I will be attending and will participate
both in the
parade and the ceremony which follows.

12. The Department of Illinois will host the 131st anniversary of Post # 1,
Grand Army
of the Republic near Decatur, Illinois on Sunday, April 13th. In addition,
the Department
is planning to conduct a ceremony at the grave of Dr. Benjamin F. Stephenson.
in
Petersburg, Illinois. Further details can by obtained by contacting
Department
Commander David Bailey, 1569 Marquette Ave., Naperville, Illinois (708)
983-1585.

13. I will represent the SUVCW at the Lincoln Tomb Ceremony in Springfield,
Illinois
on Tuesday, April 15th. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion co-sponsors
this
ceremony with the SUVCW and the National Presidents of the Allied Orders also
participate. I would like to encourage all Brothers that have the opportunity
to attend to
make every effort to do so.

14 All member of the SUVCW are urged to attend and participate in Memorial Day
Activities in order to fulfill your obligation to perpetuate the memory of the
Grand Army
of the Republic. We all have accepted to task of teaching patriotism, respect
of our flag
and country, and to honor those who have given their lives in order to protect
and
perpetuate our form of government. I believe we can do no less than to
dedicate part of
our time and effort to taking part in Memorial Day programs in our local
communities.

15. Camps are reminded to render aid and comfort to the families of members
that have
passed away and to drape their Charters in respect for departed brothers.

16. Please note the information in this issue of the Banner concerning the
National
Encampment to be held in Utica, New York August 8 - 10, 1997. I would
recommend
that members plan on attending and make reservations at the Radisson Hotel at
your
earliest convenience.

17. I would like to announce that those that have submitted names of members
for
Certificates of Merit and/or National Aid status for membership recruitment
and the
certificates have not as yet been issued to send me a reminder. I am in the
process of
catching up in this area and I do not wish to miss anyone.